Why Did He Create His Creation?

The Creator of everything stands in the middle of His creation. He is our Friend. He has given us the way to salvation, teaching us that even when we too stand in the middle of his reality, there is something greater. In service to Him we will never be beggars at the door of the mean and wicked. Rather we stand at His door. In service to Him we find that His Court is overflowing and carefree. We find only goodness.

ਸਲੋਕ ਮਃ ੧ ॥
salok ma 1 ||
Shalok, First Mehl:

ਵਾਹੁ ਖਸਮ ਤੂ ਵਾਹੁ ਜਿਨਿ ਰਚਿ ਰਚਨਾ ਹਮ ਕੀਏ ॥
vaahu khasam thoo vaahu jin rach rachanaa ham keeeae ||
Waaho! Waaho! You are wonderful and great, O Lord and Master; You created the creation, and made us.

ਸਾਗਰ ਲਹਰਿ ਸਮੁੰਦ ਸਰ ਵੇਲਿ ਵਰਸ ਵਰਾਹੁ ॥
saagar lehar samundh sar vael varas varaahu ||
You made the waters, waves, oceans, pools, plants, clouds and mountains.

ਆਪਿ ਖੜੋਵਹਿ ਆਪਿ ਕਰਿ ਆਪੀਣੈ ਆਪਾਹੁ ॥
aap kharrovehi aap kar aapeenai aapaahu ||
You Yourself stand in the midst of what You Yourself created.
16

ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਥਾਇ ਪਵੈ ਉਨਮਨਿ ਤਤੁ ਕਮਾਹੁ ॥
guramukh saevaa thhaae pavai ounaman thath kamaahu ||
The selfless service of the Gurmukhs is approved; in celestial peace, they live the essence of reality.

ਮਸਕਤਿ ਲਹਹੁ ਮਜੂਰੀਆ ਮੰਗਿ ਮੰਗਿ ਖਸਮ ਦਰਾਹੁ ॥
masakath lehahu majooreeaa mang mang khasam dharaahu ||
They receive the wages of their labor, begging at the Door of their Lord and Master.


ਨਾਨਕ ਪੁਰ ਦਰ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹ ਤਉ ਦਰਿ ਊਣਾ ਨਾਹਿ ਕੋ ਸਚਾ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ॥੧॥
naanak pur dhar vaeparavaah tho dhar oonaa naahi ko sachaa vaeparavaahu ||1||
O Nanak, the Court of the Lord is overflowing and carefree; O my True Carefree Lord, no one returns empty-handed from Your Court. ||1||

Guru Naanak Dev ji
Ang 788

He created us so that we could worship and adore His Name, so that we would discover our perfection and find the gate of salvation, so that we could vibrate with the string of the Lords' love.

ਮਃ ੩ ॥
ma 3 ||
Third Mehl:

ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਿਨੀ ਆਰਾਧਿਆ ਅਨਦਿਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਲਿਵ ਤਾਰ ॥
naanak har naam jinee aaraadhhiaa anadhin har liv thaar ||
O Nanak, those who worship and adore the Lord's Name night and day, vibrate the String of the Lord's Love.

ਮਾਇਆ ਬੰਦੀ ਖਸਮ ਕੀ ਤਿਨ ਅਗੈ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਕਾਰ ॥
maaeiaa bandhee khasam kee thin agai kamaavai kaar ||
Maya, the maid-servant of our Lord and Master, serves them.


ਪੂਰੈ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਿ ਛੋਡਿਆ ਹੁਕਮਿ ਸਵਾਰਣਹਾਰ ॥
poorai pooraa kar shhoddiaa hukam savaaranehaar ||
The Perfect One has made them perfect; by the Hukam of His Command, they are embellished.


ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਿਨਿ ਬੁਝਿਆ ਤਿਨਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰੁ ॥
gur parasaadhee jin bujhiaa thin paaeiaa mokh dhuaar ||
By Guru's Grace, they understand Him, and they find the gate of salvation.

ਮਨਮੁਖ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਨੀ ਤਿਨ ਮਾਰੇ ਜਮ ਜੰਦਾਰੁ ॥
manamukh hukam n jaananee thin maarae jam jandhaar ||
The self-willed manmukhs do not know the Lord's Command; they are beaten down by the Messenger of Death.


ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਜਿਨੀ ਅਰਾਧਿਆ ਤਿਨੀ ਤਰਿਆ ਭਉਜਲੁ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ॥
guramukh jinee araadhhiaa thinee thariaa bhoujal sansaar ||
But the Gurmukhs, who worship and adore the Lord, cross over the terrifying world-ocean.


ਸਭਿ ਅਉਗਣ ਗੁਣੀ ਮਿਟਾਇਆ ਗੁਰੁ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਣਹਾਰੁ ॥੨॥
sabh aougan gunee mittaaeiaa gur aapae bakhasanehaar ||2||
All their demerits are erased, and replaced with merits. The Guru Himself is their Forgiver. ||2||

Guru Amar Das
Ang 90

This shabad is telling us that we should never feel sad because Waheguru is never far way. Nothing happens by mistake. Even in our pain and in our suffering there is relief and release in his Shabad. He will be our rescuer if we turn to Him.

ਭੈਰਉ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥
bhairo mehalaa 5 ||
Bhairao, Fifth Mehl:


ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਹੋਵੈ ਬਾਹਰਿ ॥
tho karreeai jae hovai baahar ||
We should feel sad, if God were beyond us.

ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਵਿਸਰੈ ਨਰਹਰਿ ॥
tho karreeai jae visarai narehar ||
We should feel sad, if we forget the Lord.

ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਦੂਜਾ ਭਾਏ ॥
tho karreeai jae dhoojaa bhaaeae ||
We should feel sad, if we are in love with duality.

ਕਿਆ ਕੜੀਐ ਜਾਂ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਏ ॥੧॥
kiaa karreeai jaan rehiaa samaaeae ||1||
But why should we feel sad? The Lord is pervading everywhere. ||1||

ਮਾਇਆ ਮੋਹਿ ਕੜੇ ਕੜਿ ਪਚਿਆ ॥
maaeiaa mohi karrae karr pachiaa ||
In love and attachment to Maya, the mortals are sad, and are consumed by sadness.

ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਖਪਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
bin naavai bhram bhram bhram khapiaa ||1|| rehaao ||
Without the Name, they wander and wander and wander, and waste away. ||1||Pause||

ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਦੂਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ॥
tho karreeai jae dhoojaa karathaa ||
We should feel sad, if there were another Creator Lord.

ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਅਨਿਆਇ ਕੋ ਮਰਤਾ ॥
tho karreeai jae aniaae ko marathaa ||
We should feel sad, if someone dies by injustice.

ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਣੈ ਨਾਹੀ ॥
tho karreeai jae kishh jaanai naahee ||
We should feel sad, if something were not known to the Lord.

ਕਿਆ ਕੜੀਐ ਜਾਂ ਭਰਪੂਰਿ ਸਮਾਹੀ ॥੨॥
kiaa karreeai jaan bharapoor samaahee ||2||
But why should we feel sad? The Lord is totally permeating everywhere. ||2||

ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਕਿਛੁ ਹੋਇ ਧਿਙਾਣੈ ॥
tho karreeai jae kishh hoe dhhin(g)aanai ||
We should feel sad, if God were a tyrant.

ਤਉ ਕੜੀਐ ਜੇ ਭੂਲਿ ਰੰਞਾਣੈ ॥
tho karreeai jae bhool rannjaanai ||
We should feel sad, if He made us suffer by mistake.

ਗੁਰਿ ਕਹਿਆ ਜੋ ਹੋਇ ਸਭੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੇ ॥
gur kehiaa jo hoe sabh prabh thae ||
The Guru says that whatever happens is all by God's Will.

ਤਬ ਕਾੜਾ ਛੋਡਿ ਅਚਿੰਤ ਹਮ ਸੋਤੇ ॥੩॥
thab kaarraa shhodd achinth ham sothae ||3||
So I have abandoned sadness, and I now sleep without anxiety. ||3||

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਤੂਹੈ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਤੇਰਾ ॥
prabh thoohai thaakur sabh ko thaeraa ||
O God, You alone are my Lord and Master; all belong to You.

ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਿਉ ਕਰਹਿ ਨਿਬੇਰਾ ॥
jio bhaavai thio karehi nibaeraa ||
According to Your Will, You pass judgement.

ਦੁਤੀਆ ਨਾਸਤਿ ਇਕੁ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਇ ॥
dhutheeaa naasath eik rehiaa samaae ||
There is no other at all; the One Lord is permeating and pervading everywhere.

ਰਾਖਹੁ ਪੈਜ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਣਾਇ ॥੪॥੫॥੧੮॥
raakhahu paij naanak saranaae ||4||5||18||
Please save Nanak's honor; I have come to Your Sanctuary. ||4||5||18||

Ang 1140
Guru Arjan Dev ji

Only the greatest of friends and companions will cover our faults. Only greatest of givers will lead us to truth. He created us in his greatness so that we might find Him and his Unchanging Word. This is the greatness of His Gifts. We are One with Him.

ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਦ ਅਟਲਾ ॥
gur kaa sabadh sadhaa sadh attalaa ||
The Word of the Guru's Shabad is unchanging, forever and ever.


ਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਜਿਸੁ ਮਨਿ ਵਸੈ ॥ਦੂਖੁ ਦਰਦੁ ਸਭੁ ਤਾ ਕਾ ਨਸੈ ॥੧॥
gur kee baanee jis man vasai || dhookh dharadh sabh thaa kaa nasai ||1||
All pains and afflictions run away from those, whose minds are filled with the Word of the Guru's Bani. ||1||


ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਮ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵੈ ॥
har rang raathaa man raam gun gaavai ||
Imbued with the Lord's Love, they sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord.


ੁਕਤ+ ਸਾਧੂ ਧੂਰੀ ਨਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
mukathuo saadhhoo dhhooree naavai ||1|| rehaao ||
They are liberated, bathing in the dust of the feet of the Holy. ||1||Pause||


ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਉਤਰੇ ਪਾਰਿ ॥
gur parasaadhee outharae paar ||
By Guru's Grace, they are carried across to the other shore;


ਭਉ ਭਰਮੁ ਬਿਨਸੇ ਬਿਕਾਰ ॥
bho bharam binasae bikaar ||
they are rid of fear, doubt and corruption.


ਮਨ ਤਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਸੇ ਗੁਰ ਚਰਨਾ ॥
man than anthar basae gur charanaa ||
The Guru's Feet abide deep within their minds and bodies.


ਨਿਰਭੈ ਸਾਧ ਪਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਨਾ ॥੨॥
nirabhai saadhh parae har saranaa ||2||
The Holy are fearless; they take to the Sanctuary of the Lord. ||2||


ਅਨਦ ਸਹਜ ਰਸ ਸੂਖ ਘਨੇਰੇ ॥
anadh sehaj ras sookh ghanaerae ||
They are blessed with abundant bliss, happiness, pleasure and peace.


ਦੁਸਮਨੁ ਦੂਖੁ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨੇਰੇ ॥
dhusaman dhookh n aavai naerae ||
Enemies and pains do not even approach them.


ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਅਪੁਨੇ ਕਰਿ ਰਾਖੇ ॥
gur poorai apunae kar raakhae ||
The Perfect Guru makes them His Own, and protects them.


ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪਤ ਕਿਲਬਿਖ ਸਭਿ ਲਾਥੇ ॥੩॥
har naam japath kilabikh sabh laathhae ||3||
Chanting the Lord's Name, they are rid of all their sins. ||3||


ਸੰਤ ਸਾਜਨ ਸਿਖ ਭਏ ਸੁਹੇਲੇ ॥
santh saajan Sikh bheae suhaelae ||
The Saints, spiritual companions and Sikhs are exalted and uplifted.


ਗੁਰਿ ਪੂਰੈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਿਉ ਲੈ ਮੇਲੇ ॥
gur poorai prabh sio lai maelae ||
The Perfect Guru leads them to meet God.


ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਦੁਖ ਫਾਹਾ ਕਾਟਿਆ ॥
janam maran dhukh faahaa kaattiaa ||
The painful noose of death and rebirth is snapped.


ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਿ ਪੜਦਾ ਢਾਕਿਆ ॥੪॥੮॥
kahu naanak gur parradhaa dtaakiaa ||4||8||
Says Nanak, the Guru covers their faults. ||4||8||

Guru Arjan Dev
Ang 1340

ਆਪੇ ਜਗਜੀਵਨੁ ਸੁਖਦਾਤਾ ਆਪੇ ਬਖਸਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ॥
aapae jagajeevan sukhadhaathaa aapae bakhas milaaeae ||
The Lord Himself, the Life of the World, is the Giver of Peace. He Himself forgives, and unites with Himself.


ਜੀਅ ਜੰਤ ਏ ਕਿਆ ਵੇਚਾਰੇ ਕਿਆ ਕੋ ਆਖਿ ਸੁਣਾਏ ॥
jeea janth eae kiaa vaechaarae kiaa ko aakh sunaaeae ||
So what about all these poor beings and creatures? What can anyone say?


ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਆਪੇ ਦੇਇ ਵਡਾਈ ਆਪੇ ਸੇਵ ਕਰਾਏ ॥੨॥
guramukh aapae dhaee vaddaaee aapae saev karaaeae ||2||
He Himself blesses the Gurmukh with glory. He Himself enjoins us to His Service. ||2||


ਦੇਖਿ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਮੋਹਿ ਲੋਭਾਣਾ ਚਲਦਿਆ ਨਾਲਿ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥
dhaekh kuttanb mohi lobhaanaa chaladhiaa naal n jaaee ||
Gazing upon their families, people are lured and trapped by emotional attachment, but none will go along with them in the end.


ਸਤਗੁਰੁ ਸੇਵਿ ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਤਿਸ ਦੀ ਕੀਮ ਨ ਪਾਈ ॥
sathagur saev gun nidhhaan paaeiaa this dhee keem n paaee ||
Serving the True Guru, one finds the Lord, the Treasure of Excellence. His Value cannot be estimated.


ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਸਖਾ ਮੀਤੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਅੰਤੇ ਹੋਇ ਸਖਾਈ ॥੩॥
har prabh sakhaa meeth prabh maeraa anthae hoe sakhaaee ||3||
The Lord God is my Friend and Companion. God shall be my Helper and Support in the end. ||3||


ਆਪਣੈ ਮਨਿ ਚਿਤਿ ਕਹੈ ਕਹਾਏ ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਆਪੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ॥
aapanai man chith kehai kehaaeae bin gur aap n jaaee ||
Within your conscious mind, you may say anything, but without the Guru, selfishness is not removed.


ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਦਾਤਾ ਭਗਤਿ ਵਛਲੁ ਹੈ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਈ ॥
har jeeo dhaathaa bhagath vashhal hai kar kirapaa mann vasaaee ||
The Dear Lord is the Giver, the Lover of His devotees. By His Grace, He comes to dwell in the mind.

ਨਾਨਕ ਸੋਭਾ ਸੁਰਤਿ ਦੇਇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪੇ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਦੇ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੪॥੧੫॥੪੮॥
naanak sobhaa surath dhaee prabh aapae guramukh dhae vaddiaaee ||4||15||48||
O Nanak, by His Grace, He bestows enlightened awareness; God Himself blesses the Gurmukh with glorious greatness. ||4||15||48||

Sri Raaag
Guru Arjan Dev